No. 3, 2018, Land Stewardship Letter - Land Stewardship Project

• An online version of this Land Stewardship Letter is here.

• A pdf version of this Land Stewardship Letter is here.

• Archived Land Stewardship Letters are here.

• For paper copies of the Land Stewardship Letter, contact Brian DeVore via e-mail

Report from the Field…3
• The Community Thresher

Myth Buster…4
• The War on SNAP

LSP News…6
• Staff Changes
• New Board Members
• Journalists Get the Scoop on Soil Health
• 2018 Potluck Cookout
• Farm Beginnings Field Days

Policy & Organizing…8
• LSP Members Fight Factory Farms
• Healthcare Petition Calls for Bold Action
• Farm Bill in Holding Pattern
• Talking About Our Minnesota Future
• Leadership Assembly
• Land Stewardship Action Fund

Community Based Foods…13
• Surveying the Local Foods Landscape
• LSP’s Local Foods Listening Campaign
• CSA Farms: Time to Sign-up

Soil Health…16
• Sometimes Less is More
• Cropping Systems Calculator
• ‘Soil Health & Profits’ Winter Workshops
• Climate Conversation
• A Pocket Guide to the Power of Soil

Seeking Farmers-Seeking Land Clearinghouse…20

Farm Transitions…22
• The Beginning Farmer Next Door
• LSP Farm Transition Winter Workshops
• LSP Workshops on Rental Agreements

Farm Beginnings…25
• 2019-2020 Class
• Farm Beginnings in Other Regions
• Farm Dreams

Ecological Agrarians…26
• Book Showcases Wildly Successful Farming

Membership Update…30
• Rewards for Membership
• In Memory & in Honor
• Support LSP in Your Workplace
• LSP Board Statement on Gender Equity
• Get Current with LIVE-WIRE
• LSP’s Ear to the Ground Podcast
• Membership Questions?
• Volunteer for LSP

Stewardship Calendar…32

Upcoming Events

December 2025

Monday December 22

All Day

Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar

Monday December 22

Beginning Famer Tax Credit Webinar

Zoom online

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.

This webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here.

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop

Monday December 22

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop

Zoom online

In December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate.

Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here.

January 2026

Thursday January 1

All Day: Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Thursday January 1
Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Applications
Online
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will start accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on Jan. 1. This is an annual program available to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers.

On Dec. 22, a webinar will provide basic information on the program and how to apply for it. To register, click here.

Wednesday January 7

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop

Wednesday January 7

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Organic Fruit Growers Climate Resilience Workshop

La Crosse, Wis.

n December and January, the Organic Fruit Growers Association is offering a series of climate resilience workshops. Workshop goals are to learn about the changing climate in our region and the expected impacts on fruit farmers and to select climate resilience practices which are suited to your farm’s goals and values. The outcome of the workshops will be a written climate resilience plan with actionable steps to make your farm more resilient to changing climate.

Workshops will be led by University of Minnesota extension educators Katie Black and Madeline Wimmer and include times for farmer-to-farmer discussion. This series includes the following four meetings. Expect to spend an additional 4-10 hours outside the meetings developing your farm’s climate resilience plan:

Wednesday Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (online via Zoom)
Monday, Dec. 22, discussion (online via Zoom — optional but encouraged)
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (in-person workshop in La Crosse, Wis. Lunch provided, and you can be reimbursed for mileage traveling to and from the meeting.)

For details and to register, click here.

Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9

Minnesota Organic Conference

Thursday January 8 – Friday January 9

Minnesota Organic Conference

River's Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301, USA

Each year, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture hosts this conference and trade show for farmers and others interested in organic agriculture.

Minnesota Organic Conference Logo

Mark your calendars for January 8-9, 2026, when we’ll again feature:

Inspiring keynote speakers
Topical breakout sessions
An 80-booth trade show
Networking
And more!

Whether you’re an experienced producer or new to the field, don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to connect with Minnesota’s thriving organic community!

Who should attend?

Organic farmers and those interested in transitioning to organic practices
Agricultural professionals
Buyers and makers looking to source or showcase organic products
Students and researchers
Organic farming advocates

For details, click here.

View Full Calendar

Table of Contents